DURHAM, N.C. – Sitting at 14-3 overall with a 5-1 record in ACC play, the Duke volleyball team earned a No. 24 ranking in the latest AVCA Division I Coaches Poll. The Blue Devils, who have been ranked in the top 25 at least one week in three of the past four seasons, are making their first appearance in the national rankings since Sept. 12, 2011.

After starting the season 4-2, the Blue Devils rattled off 10 straight victories, Duke’s longest winning streak since the 2006 campaign. This past Friday, Duke toppled previously unbeaten and 10th-ranked North Carolina, 3-0, in the Tar Heels’ Carmichael Arena. The Blue Devils fell at NC State, 3-1, in their last outing Sunday.

Duke boasts one of the nation’s more potent offenses as the Blue Devils rank fourth nationally in both kills per set (15.11) and assists per set (13.96). Junior setter Maggie Deichmeister averages 11.25 assists per game to lead the ACC, while sophomore outside hitter Emily Sklar sits in second in the league standings, averaging 3.96 kills per frame.

In addition, senior libero Ali McCurdy continues to anchor Duke’s defense. The Tampa, Fla., native is nine digs shy of breaking the school career record and needs 111 digs to match the ACC career mark.

In the midst of a four-match road swing, Duke returns to action Friday and Sunday against Georgia Tech and Clemson, respectively.